Published: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 9:34 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 11:45 a.m.

New Orleans Saints running back Ladell Betts (46) is tackled in the first half of Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers in New Orleans.

The Associated Press

At least not after Sunday's victory over winless Carolina.

Brees said Monday that while Betts only had 47 rushing yards and four catches for 23 yards, the running back was the MVP of the offense in the Saints' surprisingly close 16-14 victory.

"He was awesome," Brees said.

Heady words about a player who had not even been on the roster for two full weeks and hadn't played in a regular season game since tearing the ACL and MCL in his left knee against Dallas last November when he was with the Washington Redskins.

The 31-year-old Betts signed with New Orleans in August as veteran insurance when backup running back Lynell Hamilton sustained a season-ending knee injury in the preseason opener. Betts did not survive the final cut, but the Saints re-signed him on Sept. 22 after Reggie Bush fractured a fibula in his right leg against San Francisco.

When leading rusher Pierre Thomas sat out Sunday because of a sprained ankle, Betts took advantage of the opportunity.

Rotating with untested rookie Chris Ivory, he accounted for a team-high five first downs and consistently put the Saints in short-yardage situations. On one play, he caught a swing pass and bowled over two defenders near the sideline for an 8-yard gain to move the chains.

"Coming off of an ACL injury, that was encouraging to see," coach Sean Payton said. "There's a calm, veteran presence to him. He's confident. He inspired us to some degree, especially with that play on the sideline."

Primarily a backup in eight seasons with the Redskins, Betts had one huge year, rushing for 1,154 yards in 2006 while averaging 4.7 yards a carry. He gained fewer than 400 yards in the other six years, but the week before he blew out his knee, he picked up 114 yards against Denver in only his second start since 2006.

"I went from a high to a low so fast," Betts said. "I got twisted one way and a guy landed on my leg, so it was bad."

Payton liked what he saw from the knee when Betts worked out in August, but he was a casualty of the final roster cut because he does not play on special teams.

As the injuries at running back piled up, the Saints gave him a second chance.

Replacing Ivory for the Saints' second offensive snap against Carolina, he smashed through the middle for 9 yards. He converted two first downs and had another carry for 7 yards as New Orleans drove to the Panthers 1 before wide receiver Lance Moore lost a fumble.

"I know the caliber player (Betts) is because I grew up watching him when he played for the Redskins," said offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod, a Virginia native. "I was very familiar with him. He found the holes and had a great game."

New Orleans, which had failed to gain 100 yards on the ground in its first three games and was last in the NFL in rushing, finished with 121 against Carolina. While Ivory fumbled for the second time this season — something Payton said was a significant concern Monday — Betts played with the assurance of someone who had been on the roster much longer than 12 days.

"He did a good job in blitz pickups, too," Payton said. "He knew what to do and who to block."

If Thomas is healthy enough, he will start against Arizona. Payton said it was too early in the week to know for sure whether Thomas would be ready.

If not, Betts has proved a viable option.

"I don't want to be the weak link," he said. "I don't want this offense to not be able to run the plays that they normally run just because I'm in there. I pride myself on knowing everything that's in the playbook."

<p>METAIRIE — New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees says you can't put a number on the value of Ladell Betts.</p><p>At least not after Sunday's victory over winless Carolina.</p><p>Brees said Monday that while Betts only had 47 rushing yards and four catches for 23 yards, the running back was the MVP of the offense in the Saints' surprisingly close 16-14 victory.</p><p>"He was awesome," Brees said.</p><p>Heady words about a player who had not even been on the roster for two full weeks and hadn't played in a regular season game since tearing the ACL and MCL in his left knee against Dallas last November when he was with the Washington Redskins.</p><p>The 31-year-old Betts signed with New Orleans in August as veteran insurance when backup running back Lynell Hamilton sustained a season-ending knee injury in the preseason opener. Betts did not survive the final cut, but the Saints re-signed him on Sept. 22 after Reggie Bush fractured a fibula in his right leg against San Francisco.</p><p>When leading rusher Pierre Thomas sat out Sunday because of a sprained ankle, Betts took advantage of the opportunity.</p><p>Rotating with untested rookie Chris Ivory, he accounted for a team-high five first downs and consistently put the Saints in short-yardage situations. On one play, he caught a swing pass and bowled over two defenders near the sideline for an 8-yard gain to move the chains.</p><p>"Coming off of an ACL injury, that was encouraging to see," coach Sean Payton said. "There's a calm, veteran presence to him. He's confident. He inspired us to some degree, especially with that play on the sideline." </p><p>Primarily a backup in eight seasons with the Redskins, Betts had one huge year, rushing for 1,154 yards in 2006 while averaging 4.7 yards a carry. He gained fewer than 400 yards in the other six years, but the week before he blew out his knee, he picked up 114 yards against Denver in only his second start since 2006.</p><p>"I went from a high to a low so fast," Betts said. "I got twisted one way and a guy landed on my leg, so it was bad." </p><p>Payton liked what he saw from the knee when Betts worked out in August, but he was a casualty of the final roster cut because he does not play on special teams.</p><p>As the injuries at running back piled up, the Saints gave him a second chance.</p><p>Replacing Ivory for the Saints' second offensive snap against Carolina, he smashed through the middle for 9 yards. He converted two first downs and had another carry for 7 yards as New Orleans drove to the Panthers 1 before wide receiver Lance Moore lost a fumble.</p><p>"I know the caliber player (Betts) is because I grew up watching him when he played for the Redskins," said offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod, a Virginia native. "I was very familiar with him. He found the holes and had a great game." </p><p>New Orleans, which had failed to gain 100 yards on the ground in its first three games and was last in the NFL in rushing, finished with 121 against Carolina. While Ivory fumbled for the second time this season — something Payton said was a significant concern Monday — Betts played with the assurance of someone who had been on the roster much longer than 12 days.</p><p>"He did a good job in blitz pickups, too," Payton said. "He knew what to do and who to block." </p><p>If Thomas is healthy enough, he will start against Arizona. Payton said it was too early in the week to know for sure whether Thomas would be ready.</p><p>If not, Betts has proved a viable option.</p><p>"I don't want to be the weak link," he said. "I don't want this offense to not be able to run the plays that they normally run just because I'm in there. I pride myself on knowing everything that's in the playbook."</p>